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Sex workers are top neighbours, say residents

Living in a red-light area makes residents feel safe and that having sex workers as neighbours is better than daytime TVGetty Images

A study has found that people living in the heart of a seaside resort’s red-light district feel safe and secure.

Dr Emily Cooper, from the University of Central Lancashire, interviewed residents, sex workers, police and council workers in Blackpool over 18 months and said that the findings “smashed” her preconceptions.

Residents said the 24-hour opening of brothels made them feel safe and that they viewed the sex workers as friends and neighbours who “put the bins out like everybody else”. One resident said living in the red light district was “better than daytime television”.

Dr Cooper said: “It’s important to recognise that, for some people, living or working in close proximity to sex work produces feelings of unease. However, my research found that, generally, the…